Microsoft is officially winding down its support for the Windows Maps app, marking the end of an era for the built-in navigation tool once included with Windows devices. While signs had been pointing to this decision for some time—especially with the earlier removal of offline map support—the company has now confirmed that the app will be removed from the Microsoft Store by July 2025.
![[Image: 1_29_06_25_6_36_07.png]](https://tektove.com/gallery/1_29_06_25_6_36_07.png)
🚫 What’s Changing?
According to Microsoft’s official deprecation documentation:
📁 What About My Data?
Although the app will be defunct, Microsoft has clarified:
Microsoft recommends that users transition to Bing Maps via the web as the preferred alternative. Though it lacks the tight native integration once provided by the Windows Maps app, Bing Maps offers robust browser-based mapping tools for both casual navigation and route planning.
📉 Why Now?
Industry watchers note that the app faced stiff competition from Google Maps and Apple Maps for years, and saw limited uptake among Windows users. As one user commented in the forums: “Not surprised, why would anyone want to use that over Google.”
💬 Community Reactions
Predictably, reactions have been lukewarm. Many users admitted to never using the app, opting instead for more widely adopted navigation solutions. For some, this news simply confirms what they already knew: Windows Maps was never quite the go-to.
As Microsoft continues to refine its Windows experience, trimming underused features like Maps seems part of a broader strategy to focus on platforms with greater demand. So, pour one out for Windows Maps—quietly phased out, but not forgotten by its small but loyal following.
🚫 What’s Changing?
According to Microsoft’s official deprecation documentation:
- Windows Maps is deprecated and will be unavailable in the Microsoft Store after July 2025.
- A final update will render the app completely nonfunctional.
- It is no longer included with clean installations of Windows 11 (from version 24H2 onward).
📁 What About My Data?
Although the app will be defunct, Microsoft has clarified:
- Any saved data—like guided routes or map URLs—will not be deleted.
- However, this data will no longer be accessible within the Maps app itself after the cutoff date.
Microsoft recommends that users transition to Bing Maps via the web as the preferred alternative. Though it lacks the tight native integration once provided by the Windows Maps app, Bing Maps offers robust browser-based mapping tools for both casual navigation and route planning.
📉 Why Now?
Industry watchers note that the app faced stiff competition from Google Maps and Apple Maps for years, and saw limited uptake among Windows users. As one user commented in the forums: “Not surprised, why would anyone want to use that over Google.”
💬 Community Reactions
Predictably, reactions have been lukewarm. Many users admitted to never using the app, opting instead for more widely adopted navigation solutions. For some, this news simply confirms what they already knew: Windows Maps was never quite the go-to.
As Microsoft continues to refine its Windows experience, trimming underused features like Maps seems part of a broader strategy to focus on platforms with greater demand. So, pour one out for Windows Maps—quietly phased out, but not forgotten by its small but loyal following.
This post was last modified: 06-29-2025, 06:49 PM by Tekkie Da.
tekkieDa@tektove.com:~$ ▌
